November 10, 1999
KSC Contact: Joel Wells
KSC Release No. 141-99
SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY SET TO ROLLOUT TO LAUNCH PAD 39B NOV. 13
Towering atop the mobile launcher platform and crawler transporter,
Space Shuttle Discovery is scheduled to emerge from the Vehicle Assembly
Building at about 2 a.m. this Saturday. Discovery is expected to arrive at
Launch
Pad 39B by 8 a.m. to undergo final preparations for the STS-103 launch,
targeted for Dec. 6.
The crawler transporter takes about 6 hours to complete its
4.2-mile trip to the pad. Soon after its arrival, the Rotating Service
Structure will extend around the vehicle and launch pad validations will
proceed through the weekend.
Orbiter Discovery arrived in KSC's Orbiter Processing Facility
(OPF) on June 6 after completing mission STS-96,
and moved to the Vehicle Assembly Building on Nov. 4. While in the
OPF, Discovery underwent meticulous wiring inspections, repairs and
protection efforts during a fleet-wide wiring investigation along with
standard processing. After being mated to the external tank in VAB high
bay 1, Discovery's main engine No. 3 and a range safety cable for the
solid rocket boosters were removed and replacement efforts will conclude
prior to the Shuttle's move to the pad.
Mission STS-103 is designed to replace worn parts on the 9-year-old
Hubble Space Telescope and to upgrade other systems on the space
observatory. All of the six gyroscopes that provide Hubble's pointing
capability will be replaced on orbit along with other equipment like a
guidance sensor and main computer. Four spacewalks are planned to support
this flight. Commander Curt Brown, Pilot Scott Kelly; Payload Commander
Steven Smith; and Mission Specialists Michael Foale, John Grunsfeld,
Claude Nicollier, and Jean-Francois Clervoy make up the 7-member flight
crew.
The cargo required to support the third Hubble Space Telescope
servicing mission was delivered to the launch pad on Nov. 8 and will be
installed into the orbiter's payload bay on Nov. 16. The payload interface
verification tests begin later that week.
The Shuttle flight crew is slated to arrive at KSC Sunday, Nov. 14
to participate in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT), set
for Nov. 16 and 17. TCDT is held prior to each Space Shuttle flight and
provides the crew opportunities to participate in full-dress, simulated
countdown activities at KSC.
Discovery and crew are scheduled to launch on Dec. 6 at 2:37 a.m.
marking the 27th flight of this orbiter. After 9 days and 21 hours in
space, the second oldest orbiter in the fleet returns to KSC's Shuttle
Landing Facility Dec. 15 at 11:57 p.m.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Accredited news media interested in viewing
rollout activities should report to the KSC Press Site by 6:30 a.m.
Saturday, Nov. 13 for departure at 7 a.m. Video footage and still photos
of Discovery's move to the pad will be available at the Press Site. Media
can monitor any updates to the rollout by calling the codaphone at
321-867-2525.